Cinematic Point Of View

I went to a screening of Mamoru Hosoda‘s Wolf Children this week. I can’t believe I had not seen this film. The new 4K restoration is beautiful. I was glad I went to see it by myself as it wrecked me multiple times.

In a nutshell, Wolf Children is the story of a single mother trying to raise her two children. She meets a man at college and falls in love. He happens to be a werewolf. They have kids and then he dies accidentally, leaving her to raise their werewolf children.

This is a story about connection. Family. Finding your place. I truly appreciate the depiction of the young mother, Hana, before she has children and is just starting out in the world. She really conveys how you feel at that age. Focused on your future, but open to the world and falling in love. It’s really sweet.

It’s also a film about parenting and the sacrifices you make. The struggles to provide and guide. There is a scene where the little boy, Ame, after reading countless childhood books, asks him Mom “Why is the wolf always the bad guy?” It’s one of those parenting moments that leaves you heartbroken.

The hardest thing to do is talk to your kids about the world sometimes. This is Hana’s struggle. How can she help her children face the world. What can she teach them. It’s one any parent can relate to.

It’s also a film about identity and acceptance. Both of the wolf children have different ideas about who they are and their future. They can choose to live as a human or a wolf. Ame leans more and more toward being a wolf as he gets older. The daughter, Yuki, chooses to be live as a human. It’s Yuki who actually narrates the entire film and leans into the wisdom of looking back at their lives together. Growing up is hard any way you look at it.

I felt fully immersed in this world and these characters. All of the people have an honest warmth about them. There really are no bad guys in this film and the balance between fantasy and reality is effortless.

While I honestly prefer a more hand-drawn animation approach, like Studio Ghibli, I was quickly won over by this style and Hosoda’s colors and composition. I love the urban setting in the opening half of the movie. It manages to be both chaotic and calm. Full of life, promise, and mystery.

I also appreciate all the quiet moments throughout the story. Moments to just take in the artistry and reflect on the story. Listen the beautiful score. It’s a film that manages to keep you on the edge of your seat and also takes it’s time. Pretty good trick.

Parenting. Family. Identity. Self-confidence. Community. Friendship. Nature. Love. Trust.

If any of those themes are your cup of tea, you’re gonna love this movie. It will leave you inspired and feeling a bit melancholy, but it will also enrich you I think. It’s a special film.

Have you seen Wolf Children? What did you think?